God prophesied that Abraham's descendants would be strangers in a land not theirs, be afflicted there for 400 years, and afterward come out with great substance.
God spoke this to Abram while making a covenant, telling him his seed would serve and be afflicted in a foreign land Les identifies as Egypt. God also promised to judge that nation and bring the descendants back to Canaan in the fourth generation. Les Feldick calls this the first prophecy in the Bible and connects it to a 430-year time frame ending at the Exodus.
Genesis 15:13-14 — God directly tells Abram that his descendants will be strangers, serve, be afflicted 400 years, and then leave with great substance.
Genesis 15:16 — God adds that the descendants will return to Canaan in the fourth generation, giving a further time marker for the prophecy.
Genesis 15:13-14 records the words God spoke to Abram: 'And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.' In verse 16 God adds: 'But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.' The passage also includes a personal promise to Abram in verse 15: 'And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.' Later, Stephen quotes this same prophecy in Acts 7:6-7, connecting it to Israel's bondage in Egypt and God's deliverance.
Les Feldick teaches that the words to Abraham in Genesis 15 are the very first statement of true prophecy in the Bible — God telling something before it happens (Clip1, Clip2). He identifies the foreign land as Egypt and says the prophecy concerns Israel's sojourn and servitude there. Les also draws from Acts 7 to show Stephen considered this prophecy fulfilled (Clip3). He highlights the timeline: a 430-year sojourn from Abraham's call to the Exodus (Clip5), the 400 years of affliction within that period (Clip7), the promise of coming out with great substance (Clip4), and the return to Canaan in the fourth generation (Clip4). Les also stresses that this prophecy is directed to Israel, not the Church, and that Daniel's later 490-year prophecy is also Israel-specific (Clip6).
The prophecy came while God was making a covenant with Abram. God put Abram into a deep sleep so Abram would have nothing to do with the transaction (Clip2). Alongside the prediction about his descendants, God promised Abram he would die in peace and be buried at a good old age (Genesis 15:15). Les points to this as part of God's sovereign plan (Clip4).
Les puts the Egyptian sojourn inside a total 430-year count from Abraham's call to the Exodus (Clip5). He notes that 215 years elapsed before the sojourn in Egypt even began, so the descendants were not in bondage for the entire 400 years (Clip7). The 400 years in Genesis 15:13 describes the period of affliction and service.
God said He would judge the nation Israel served, and afterward they would leave with great substance (Genesis 15:14; Acts 7:7). Les says they did — the children of Israel spoiled Egypt — and that their return was to Canaan, the land where God was speaking with Abram (Clip4).
The Burning Bush & The Angel of the Lord: Who Did Moses Really See?
Hello, and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
First Prophecy in the Bible
Les identifies God's words to Abraham as the very first statement of prophecy in the Bible, referring specifically to the descendants' sojourn and servitude in Egypt.
Genesis 15:13-14 Prophecy
In the covenant ceremony, God tells Abraham that his seed will be strangers in a land not theirs, serve and be afflicted 400 years, and that Egypt will be judged before they leave with great substance.
Stephen's Retelling in Acts 7
Les shows the New Testament book of Acts quoting this same Genesis 15 prophecy when Stephen rehearses Israel's history of bondage in Egypt and God's judgment on the oppressing nation.
Return With Great Substance and Fourth Generation
Les stresses that Abraham's descendants did come out with great substance by spoiling Egypt, and that the fourth-generation return would bring them back to Canaan, matching the 400/430-year time frame.
430-Year Time Frame
Les ties the prophecy to a precise 430-year period running from Abraham's call to the Exodus, showing the prophecy is Israel-specific and time-bound.
Prophecy for Israel, Not the Church
Les uses the Genesis 15 prophecy to mark the beginning of Old Testament prophecy directed to Israel, contrasting it with Daniel's 490-year prophecy and showing no connection to the Church.
Before and Within the 430 Years
Les clarifies that only half of the 430 years (215 years) elapsed before the Egyptian sojourn began, so the descendants were not in slavery for the entire 400 years.
Genesis 15:13: And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
This is the heart of the prophecy given to Abraham about his descendants' future affliction.
Genesis 15:14: And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
The prophecy promises judgment on Egypt and deliverance with great substance.
Genesis 15:16: But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
This provides the timing of the return to Canaan and connects the delay to the Amorites.
Acts 7:6-7: And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. And the nation to whom they will be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.
Stephen's later summary of this same prophecy confirms it was fulfilled in Israel's experience in Egypt.
God told Abraham that his descendants would sojourn in a land not their own, be brought into bondage and afflicted for 400 years, and that He would judge that nation (Egypt) and afterward bring them out with great substance to serve Him in Canaan (Genesis 15:13-14; Acts 7:6-7).
Les says no. He teaches the full 430-year sojourn ran from Abraham's call to the Exodus, and that 215 years elapsed before the Egyptian sojourn even began. The 400 years refers to the period of affliction, not the whole Egyptian stay.
God said that the nation they would serve, He would judge, and afterward they would come out with great substance. Les states the children of Israel spoiled Egypt, all in God's sovereign plan.
Les teaches it doesn't. He says this is the first real Old Testament prophecy and it concerns Israel and the land of Canaan, not the Church, which is His body.
Watch the Teaching: The Burning Bush & The Angel of the Lord: Who Did Moses Really See?